Body found in sea off Holland-on-Sea thought to be missing man Ronald King

POLICE have called off a search for a missing man after a body was found in Holland-on-Sea.

Officers believe that the man found at Holland Haven is Ronald King, 63, who had not been seen since Friday.

Relatives of Mr King have been informed and formal identification is still to take place.

Police were due to carry out a new search of beaches near Holland Haven after an appeal led to information that Mr King had launched his small inflatable dinghy from Clacton beach at about 9.45pm on Friday.

A local yachtsman came forward and reported finding the dinghy several miles offshore on Saturday morning.

Police and coastguards calculated tide times and wind directions to narrow the search to the Holland Haven area.

A search of the area was being planned when a woman walking near the Haven saw the body at about 9.30am today.

Det Insp Russ Cole, who was leading the search said: "Sadly we believe the body found today is Mr King and we are still awaiting formal identification.

"We would like to thank the media for their considerable assistance in this search. As a result of the appeal for help two members of the public came forward with information that helped us to establish what happened to Mr King and where he might be.

"There are no suspicious circumstances and a report is now being prepared for the coroner.”